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I really don't have the words to express the depth of my experience in the Ashram. But, I will try. I had the blessing to be able to stay here for a whole month as part of the Advanced Yoga Teachers Training Course, that took place on Jan 4th 2013. A month of discipline, joy and inner transformation. One of my favorite aspects of this Ashram is the practice of Unity in Diversity. We were so fortunate to have an array of special guest every single night, bringing knowledge in diverse aspects of religion, arts and science. It is a sacred site, that if one surrenders to the energy that surrounds it, the magic begins. The teachers are simply an example of dedication and love towards spreading spirituality and the message of the grate saints. The overall atmosphere of Paradise Island speaks for it self, it is really like heaven, the blue perfect ocean and white sand surrounding the grounds of the ashram, one can not ask for any more. It is all here, you just have to experience it yourself.

Room Tip: The cabins on the west side are serene and the bathrooms are right next to it.

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Stayed January 2013, traveled solo

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1Thank saisudha

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

The yoga retreat provided a great learning experience. The food was very good and I managed to avoid coffee for my whole stay. Our teacher was a beautiful person who helped us improve our poses and provided thoughtful instruction.

Stayed January 2013

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1Thank Alicetas

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

When I arrived at the ashram, I could not get over how peaceful and beautiful it was. The people I have met there were awesome and I am still in contact with them. The food was over the top twice a day!! Not only that , you get these great workshops from world renowned authors and spiritual teachers from around the world. My favourite was a 3 day talk by Dr. Joe Dispenza. I would totally recommend to those looking for something different and unique.

Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple

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1Thank Stephen J

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I recently completed a short (6-day) yoga vacation and loved my time at the Sivananda Retreat. It was truly relaxing, the location is unbelievably beautiful and very convenient and the yoga instruction is blissful. The food is vegetarian and tasty (though at the end of 6 days, I craved cheese. Strangely enough I didn't miss eating meat) Recommended for open-minded people looking for a meaningful retreat experience.

This is just to note that the Bahamas location is lacking "spiritual fire" that is commonly found at Ashrams, for those looking to connect and disengage from daily life for a while. I joined the TTC program, but was a bit surprised to learn that many of the 40 participants were new to yoga. Be sure when checking into an Ashram, that this is really what you want for your time and money, as there are NO refunds.

Room Tip: Pack snacks and protein bars if a mostly starchy diet is not good for you. If you have not yet ween...

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Stayed January 2013, traveled solo

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3Thank caroberry1

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Thank you for your review.I'm not sure what is that "spiritual fire" you're referring to, but I have the feeling that it is a very subjective thing. I find that people who are tuned and come with an open mind may get a profound spiritual experience, particularly in the Teacher Training Course. Others, who may come with fixed ideas about what constitutes a 'spiritual life' and shield themselves from any new ideas may not find the 'spiritual fire' they were hoping to find.Moreover, you're referring to the fact that many students in the TTC are new to Yoga as a kind of disadvantage. I, as a teacher in these courses, actually think it is a great advantage. More often than not, those who come with a rich background of Yoga are already fixed in their minds on certain ideas and aren't open to learn new ideas and listen to a different view point. Many times they get confused because they superimpose their old knowledge upon what they hear here. People who are a 'clean slate', on the other hand, are often getting the teachings much faster. I truly believe that your previews experience or your physical flexibility do not give you any advantage in the Teacher Training Course. What matters is the spirit with which you approach this life transforming experience.Thank you again for bringing up this point, and hope to see you with us again soon.

All the best,

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My friend and I spent a week at the ashram in October 2012. Most of the positive reviewers here are very emotional and are talking about a great spiritual experience they found at the ashram. I would rather describe my stay there, the facilities and the atmosphere and why I would like to come back to the ashram for another vacation. A saying "believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear" is very much on point when discussing the ashram.My friend and I shared a room with two double beds and a full bathroom in one of the two 4-room cottages right on the beach. The room was spacious, air-conditioned and had a balcony with chairs and a table. The linens and towels were OK. The staff does not routinely change the linens but they will if you ask them. The cottages are very private and away from the kitchen, trash dumpsters, daily maintenance that is always ongoing on the ashram property, and most importantly - away from the bells that wake up residents and guests staying at other accommodations at 5:30AM.The food during our stay was hands down one of the best vegetarian cuisines I have ever tried. I was so inspired that I bought the yoga cook book sold at the ashram and have been cooking many meals from it at home. This said, I understand that since ashram does not have a professional cook on staff, food quality is not consistent and depends on the skills of volunteers who run the kitchen. During our stay, the kitchen was run by a chef from a 5 star hotel in India and two amazingly creative women from Israel who whipped up delicious Indian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meals. Also, it helped that there were only about 30 people staying at the ashram during that week, and not 200+ as during the busy season and teacher training courses. Everybody washes their own dishes after the meals at the outside sinks. It is definitely a chore but conversations with other guests and staff around those sinks were one of highlights of my stay. My friend and I lingered longer after dinners and helped the staff load dishwashers and dry and stack the dishes. Staff was every appreciative of our help and told us every time how grateful they were.The daily schedule is very busy and is compulsory for the residents only. Guests are encouraged to participate in yoga classes (2-hour classes twice a day at 8AM and 4PM) and satsangs (2-hour chanting, meditation and lecture twice a day at 6AM and 8PM). I went to all yoga classes and found them challenging enough for a daily exercise. Some teachers were good, some were OK, one was pretty bad but it really didn't make much difference for me because practicing asanas in warm tropical air and listening to the sounds of the forest and ocean waves was enough to make my experience unlike anything I have experienced before.I went to only one morning satsang that included a walk and meditation on the beach at sunrise . I went to all evening satsangs and at first was appalled by the meaningless chants and idolatry being practiced there. But then I looked at it from a "curious observer" perspective, and actually found group singing and playing bells and tambourines engaging and fun.All afternoons after breakfast and before 4PM yoga class we spent either on the beach or would take an hour-long workshop taught by a visiting yogi or by a staff member. My friend improved her asana in a headstand workshop and I really liked a dharma yoga workshop and a chanting class.Guests are welcome to take any tours, boat cruises and snorkeling trips offered by vendors either at Atlantis (10 min away along the beach) or from Nassau. I went to a beautiful reef to snorkel with a few other ashram guests, and we were picked up right from the ashram pier.Overall, my stay at the ashram was lovely and very relaxing. I am coming back to Paradise Island this Spring and even though I am not staying at the ashram (I am coming with my big family and there is no appropriate accommodation at the ashram for all of us during the busy Spring break), I am planning to take yoga classes and attend satsangs as much as I can. .

Room Tip: 8 rooms in 2 two-story buildings right on the beach (called Gangas) are the newest and best accommod...

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Stayed October 2012, traveled with friends

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9Thank Anna B

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From the moment I stepped onto the first boat to take me across to the Sivananda ashram, I was in awe. Just sitting on the dock waiting for the boat, I was able to see the cruise ships and birds who wanted to come and gawk. I live in NY, so it's great anytime I get to see some nature, particularly in the middle of winter. At the ashram, everyone was really lovely. The staff work super hard to make sure everything runs clockwork. The food is delicious and it's amazing how many different choices there are. If only I ate like that all the time! And I'll try to replicate at home. All the guests I met were like-minded, interested in the spiritual aspects of the ashram, as well as just wanting a place to relax or do yoga or go to the beach. I could have lived at the beach most of the day - it was so beautiful and the water was perfect. I even managed to find some fellow adventurers to go snorkeling to a reef slightly off shore, down the beach past the rocks. If you're looking for pure vacation, I would suggest going somewhere else, as this is an ashram. Be prepared to sing every night at the satsangs and listen to some super interesting lectures that guest speakers present. In particular, I listened to the founder of Theta healing and a sleep expert, and both were fabulous. I do suggest that people try to drop the electronics. It's not NYC, and for most of us, we don't want it to be that anyway. Although, I was technically taking an online and required college course while I was there, I tried to open my computer as little as possible. I even would go so far as to say computers shouldn't be allowed. Fully immersing yourself in the ashram life you will feel fully rejuvenated for when you do have to do some serious work back in the city. I would also love it if the ashram had areas of silence, for example, silence while eating, or a whole week program where there is no talking. That being said, everyone I did talk to was so super cool. Make plans to go for Gaura Vani's kirtans. He will be back later in the year.:) My last suggestion is to start saving now for trip number 2 - you'll want to go back as soon as possible.

Room Tip: I slept in a tent, so I don't know anything about the rooms. Make sure to follow the tent guidel...

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Stayed January 2013, traveled solo

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1Thank Sundari108_2013

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The Yoga Retreat is a spiritual center & retreat place offering courses and workshops and yoga vacation. The daily schedule includes two yoga classes, two Satsangs (meditation sessions) and two vegetarian meals. ...more less

Also Known As:

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Hotel Paradise Island

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas/Paradise Island

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